Last line of defense: Fukushima center James Hughes (center), seen in a March game against Yokohama, and his Firebonds teammates defeated visiting Shinshu 89-77 on Saturday night. The Firebonds have secured a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. | KAZ NAGATSUKA

As the East’s seventh-place squad, Fukushima (20-31) can finish no worse than eighth, guaranteeing that the expansion team will continue playing in May.

Shinshu (19-32) suffered its fifth straight loss.

Indiana University alum Verdell Jones III sparked the Firebonds with a game-high 29 points along with 11 assists and four steals.

After the game, Fukushima coach Hiroki Fujita said, “I’m so proud of my players and I just want to thank our great boosters for fighting with us all season long.”

Firebonds forward Edward Morris offered these remarks in a post-game interview with The Japan Times: “(Making the playoffs) means a lot. Beginning of the year our goal was making the playoffs. With a lot of hard work we managed to secure a spot this season in the playoffs. Especially being a first-year team. I think many teams overlook first-year teams. So hopefully we can gain some respect within the bj-league as players and also as a franchise. Just happy for my team.”

Fukushima led 42-36 at halftime, then outscored the visitors 26-14 in the third quarter to seize control of the contest.

Morris added 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, Shinya Murakami poured in 15 points and center James Hughes had 13 points and 14 boards. Rising star Masaya Karimata contributed eight points, five steals and four assists in the victory.

Shoji Nakanishi led the Brave Warriors with 24 points and Mohamed Abukar had 22 points.

Golden Kings 64, Lakestars 50

In Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, defending champion Ryukyu held Shiga to 11.1 percent shooting from 3-point range in the series opener.

The Lakestars, who are 1-4 against the Okinawan powerhouse squad this season, were 2-for-18 from long range.

Narito Namizato was Ryukyu’s leading scorer with 13 points and do-it-all forward Anthony McHenry finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, two steal and two blocks.